Seat Back Frame Weakened Regions for Impact Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat back frames deform excessively during impact conditions, leading to loss of cargo retention and potential injury, as they are designed to be lightweight and lack sufficient structural reinforcement to manage impact energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating weakened regions, specifically flattened notches or bends, in the inboard upright members of the seat back frame to control deformation and absorb impact energy, thereby reducing the translation of head restraint assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the seat back frame is designed to be lightweight, then weight is reduced, but structural strength and impact energy management capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating weakened regions at specific locations (inboard upright members) rather than uniformly strengthening the entire frame. This allows the structure to have controlled deformation zones that manage impact energy while maintaining overall lightweight design. The weakened regions are strategically positioned to buckle during impact, absorbing energy without requiring the entire frame to be heavily reinforced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by modifying the cross-sectional geometry of upright members at specific locations. The weakened regions have reduced cross-sectional area compared to the uniform sections, creating controlled deformation zones. This parameter change allows the frame to transition from a uniformly strong structure to one with controlled weak points that manage impact energy while maintaining lightweight overall design.
2Strength
If structural reinforcements are added to the seat back frame, then impact resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding uniform reinforcements throughout the frame, the patent uses local quality by creating specific weakened regions only where needed for energy management. This approach improves impact resistance through controlled deformation at strategic locations without adding weight through comprehensive reinforcement. The weakened regions are precisely positioned in inboard upright members to manage impact energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful uncontrolled deformation and energy transmission during impact into a beneficial controlled energy absorption mechanism. By introducing weakened regions that are designed to buckle in specific ways, the harmful impact energy is converted into controlled deformation that protects occupants and cargo, rather than being transmitted through the entire frame structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seat back frame is designed without weakened regions, then structural integrity is maintained, but impact energy management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains overall structural integrity while introducing local variations through weakened regions. These localized modifications create controlled deformation zones that manage impact energy without compromising the global structural integrity of the frame. The outboard upright members and cross members maintain full strength while the inboard upright members have controlled weak points for energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frame structure into different functional zones: strong sections (outboard upright members, cross members) for maintaining structural integrity and attachment points, and weakened sections (inboard upright members) for energy absorption. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified structure.
4Loss of energy
If weakened regions are formed in outboard upright members, then impact energy management is improved, but cargo retention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning weakened regions exclusively in inboard upright members, away from the outboard upright members where cargo retention is critical. This spatial differentiation ensures that energy absorption occurs in non-critical areas while cargo retention points maintain full structural strength and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frame into functional zones where inboard upright members handle energy absorption through weakened regions, while outboard upright members maintain full strength for cargo retention and latch mechanism attachment. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between energy management and cargo retention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The controlled deformation of the seat back frame minimizes the forward translation of the central head restraint assembly by approximately 115 millimeters, effectively retaining cargo and maintaining structural integrity without adding unnecessary weight or reinforcements.
Implementation Method 1
control deformation of the seat back frame in an impact condition
Implementation Method 2
The weakened region is formed midway along a length of the at least one of the plurality of upright members
Data Source
AI summary
A seat back frame is provided with a plurality of upright members, and at least one cross member interconnecting the plurality of upright members. At least one of the plurality of upright members has a weakened region to control deformation of the seat back frame in an impact condition.